If you have an infestation of centipedes or millipedes in or around your South Florida home or business, we urge you to contact us today to schedule a free inspection.

Centipedes & Millipedes — What Is The Difference?

Centipedes – Centipedes are multi-legged pests that are distinguishable by their body segments that retain one set of legs. By nature, centipedes are predatory of other insects, using their potent venom to subdue and consume other pests.

Centipedes are generally solitary bugs, meaning that unless you see many centipedes, you might be dealing with an isolated incident rather than an infestation.

Millipedes – Millipedes are much like centipedes in the sense that they are long, multi-legged insects, but what sets them apart is their body segments. Unlike centipedes, millipedes have two sets of legs per body segment. Millipedes differ, however, in the sense that they do not bite, and generally hide during the day.

The largest and most interesting difference between these two insects is that millipedes travel, or migrate, together in large numbers. So if you see one millipede, chances are there are more — so contact your South Florida pest control experts today!

Are Millipedes Dangerous?

When it comes to pests there are two main concerns that people have, the first being the discomfort that the pests cause, and the second being the threat, or danger, of the pest.

Luckily, neither of these South Florida pests are terribly dangerous. Yes, both pests can cause you slight pain or discomfort, so they should not be handled, but neither pest can cause serious health concerns.

Centipedes are technically venomous, and they do bite, but as long as you avoid picking them up you should be fine. Millipedes, on the other hand, do not bite but have been known to secrete a defensive “ooze” that can cause slight discomfort. Rather than risking injury or discomfort, simply contact us at Native Pest Management and inquire about our centipede and millipede pest control services.

Identification: How to Tell Centipedes & Millipedes Apart

Centipedes

Centipedes have anywhere from 15 to 300 legs. Centipedes may be in your house foraging for food with their venomous fangs extended. If you pick up a centipede it may bite you — delivering a painful, pinching sensation.

Millipedes

Millipedes do not bite. While they may not bite, they can excrete a defensive fluid on your skin that could cause some slight irritation.

Millipedes are smaller than centipedes and will often be found curled up in your home or near your sliding glass doors. When swept or vacuumed up, they may easily break apart and may sometimes have an odor.

How to Get Rid of Millipedes

What can you do as a Palm Beach or Broward county home or business to try and rid your property of centipedes and millipedes?

Integrated Pest Management

Millipedes prefer living in damp , humid environments. If you have mulch or leaf litter on your property, these are ideal areas for them to find harborage. Removing decaying organic matter such as leaf debris on your property will make the area less habitable to millipedes.

Water your lawn in the morning. Watering in the afternoon or at night will cause water to sit on your property longer which will make the area more hospitable to millipedes.

Try not to apply mulch too close to your home foundation. Much like leaf litter, mulch is a prime habitat for centipedes and millipedes. We recommend keeping mulch at least a few inches off the foundation of your home.

Seal the cracks, gaps, and holes on the exterior of your home. This method of pest prevention is known as pest exclusion or pest proofing. It will have the added benefit of helping to keep out ants, cockroaches and rats.

Contact a Licensed Pest Control Company

For safe and efficient applications to eliminate millipedes, contact our team of pest control professionals. We provide free inspections to identify the source of the millipedes and will provide you our recommendations to keep them off your property for good.

Native Pest Management — Your South Florida Pest Solution

Do you have centipedes or millipedes in, or around, your South Florida home or business? If so, we urge you to contact us today at Native Pest Management.

Our team will safely get rid of the millipede infestation, and do whatever we can to ensure they stay away for good!